The typhoon forecast of Hong Kong Meteorological Station (China) on March 23rd said that Hong Kong (China) is forecast to record 4 to 7 storms in the period from June to October. This number is less than half of last year's record 14 storms.
The typhoon season in Hong Kong (China) is forecast to start in June or later and end in October or earlier, according to Meteorological Director Chan Pak-wai.
There is a possibility that there will be about 4-7 storms advancing within a radius of 500km from Hong Kong (China) this year, a level close to the average," he said.
Mr. Chan added that the possibility of El Nino formation in the second half of the year increases the risk of extreme heat in many areas and at sea.
The average annual temperature in Hong Kong (China) is forecast to be higher than normal, with a high chance of being in the top 10 hottest years in recorded data," he said.
However, because it is still spring, the time of El Nino's appearance and clear impact on the weather in Hong Kong (China) can only be determined more accurately when summer approaches, he noted.
Although the number of storms is forecast to decrease in 2026, people still need to prepare to respond to the possibility of heavy rain and localized torrential rains, the Hong Kong (China) forecaster said.
He noted that in previous El Nino years, there were cases where storm signals of level 10 had to be emitted, such as super typhoon Saola in 2023.
Mr. Chan said that weather breaking records makes 2025 the 6th hottest year in Hong Kong (China) history.
Globally, 2025 is on track to become the 2nd or 3rd hottest year in history, according to a preliminary assessment by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
October 2025 is particularly hot, breaking the records for average monthly temperatures, average monthly minimum temperatures, as well as the number of hot days and nights in October" - Mr. Chan said.
Last winter, from December last year to February, was also the warmest winter ever recorded, with an average temperature of 19.3 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees Celsius higher than normal.
Last year, only 6 cold days were recorded, 9.2 days less than the average for the period 1991-2020.
This is also the first time no cold weather warnings have been issued in November or December since the warning system was applied in 1999.
Last year, the Hong Kong Meteorological Station (China) also issued 14 storm warning signals, the most since 1946.
These warnings include level 10 signals for Typhoon Wipha and Super Typhoon Ragasa, respectively in July and September.
Mr. Chan said that the sea area around the Philippines at the time of last year's storm forecast had unusually high temperatures, leading to forecasts of 5 to 8 storms, which are already high levels.
However, due to the impact of El Nino, the eastern Pacific region near North America warmed up, while the western Pacific remained at a normal level, causing the number of storms this year to be forecast to decrease.
